Life lost as firefighters battle morning blazes

The first fire, which killed the woman, started around 7:20 a.m. on the 2200 block of North Capitol Street, said District fire department spokesman Alan Etter.  Firefighters arrived to find smoke billowing from a two-story rowhouse.

An elderly man who had escaped the blaze told firefighters there were two people trapped, Etter said. The man was taken to the hospital for mild smoke inhalation.

Firefighters knocked down the door and came across a 14-year-old boy in cardiac arrest, Etter said. He was pulled from the burning house and his heartbeat was restored in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. He was listed in critical condition Wednesday afternoon, Etter said.

The badly burned body of an adult woman was found on the first floor, Etter said.

Three firefighters also received medical attention. One injured an ankle, another had chest pains and a third reported high blood pressure.

Police and fire investigators are trying to determine the cause of the blaze. It is not known whether smoke alarms in the home were working, Etter said.

Around 8 a.m., firefighters were called to the unit block of Randolph Place, just eight blocks away from the deadly North Capitol Street fire, Etter said. Once there, firefighters discovered a two-story rowhouse with fire coming from the roof and attic. The fire was quickly contained with no injuries.

Less than 20 minutes later, firefighters were called to a Giant Food Store at 1414 Eighth St. N.W. A fire had spread through the building’s ductwork, but it was quickly extinguished with no injuries, Etter said.

The causes of all three fires remain under investigation, Etter said.

Chief Dennis Rubin praised the firefighters for their quick response to multiple fires in cold conditions.

“I want to commend all of the firefighters involved in what was an extremely challenging morning,” Rubin said. “They performed to the highest standard of our profession.”